Bleach: Stirring Up a Storm

The reason nightmares are long and painful is perhaps because the past was too beautiful and fleeting. Even knowing it is fake, many wish to turn back time to escape the real nightmare.

Hinamori Momo wished the blade that pierced her chest was just a nightmare. It was, yet it wasn’t *just* a nightmare. All of this had been relayed to her by Kira after she woke up.

The Hollowfication experiments, the Sōkyoku, the Hōgyoku, and the defection to Hueco Mundo...

Everything seemed to tell her that she had never seen Captain Aizen clearly from the start. His coldness wasn’t born in a sudden moment, but had been there from the very beginning.

*Was everything in the past fake? That Captain Aizen who would smile and silently, gently protect her... was he actually fake?*

Hinamori understood in her heart, yet she refused to believe it. She didn’t want to believe that the words that once warmed and supported her were all hypocrisy. Among so many beautiful memories, there had to be at least one moment where Captain Aizen was real.

Hitsugaya could roughly guess Hinamori’s feelings. Should he just say something casually to brush it off, or use a white lie to cover up the inevitably painful truth for her?

But could it really be covered up? Even if the entire Seireitei was willing to construct such a meaningless illusion, what that guy Aizen was going to do would instantly shatter this false peace. This was a war with no retreat, and Hinamori had to accept it.

”That’s right. Not just us, but Kurosaki Ichigo and the others had better throw themselves into the upcoming war as well.” Hitsugaya turned his head, his face solemn as he warned Hinamori, ”He is no longer ’Captain Aizen,’ but an enemy we must eliminate. You need to change how you address him, Hinamori.”

”I—I know, but, it’s not that serious, right...? Do we and Aizen... do we really have to fight to the death? Is there no other way?” Hinamori smiled awkwardly, speaking almost like a plea. ”There has to be another way, right?”

Seeing Hitsugaya shake his head with a cold expression, a trace of anxiety appeared on Hinamori’s face. She grabbed Hitsugaya’s sleeves with both hands, as if clutching at her last lifeline.

”Save him, I beg you to save Captain Aizen, Tōshirō. I know he did many wrong things and should be punished, but... but maybe he has unspeakable difficulties, or maybe he’s being coerced by someone, right?”

The more Hinamori spoke, the more agitated she became. It seemed that in her eyes, this reasoning made perfect sense. This girl, forever drowning in the past, had completely deceived herself at this moment.

”Yes, it must be Ichimaru Gin coercing him! It has to be, Tōshirō! We have to save him. Captain Aizen can definitely return to the way we used to know him.”

*He can’t go back.* Hitsugaya lowered his head, his fists clenched tight. *Besides, even if he did go back, so what? It would just be a facade of hypocrisy.*

”Hinamori...”

Hitsugaya really wanted to question her: *Do you remember why you became a Shinigami in the first place? Or, do you still consider yourself a Shinigami now? And, have you forgotten that Aizen almost killed you...?*

Hatred was actually so insignificant in Hinamori’s heart. Or perhaps she would never harbor even the slightest bit of hatred toward the man named Aizen.

But the fire of hatred in Hitsugaya’s heart burned ever brighter. He wanted to kill Aizen. This killing intent was stronger than ever before. Only by killing that man could Hinamori break free from that boundless illusion!

Even if it would bring unforgettable pain, Hitsugaya raised his head. The Hinamori before him seemed to have guessed his thoughts. Uncontrollable tears welled up from her eyes. The stiff smile on her face was the last spark of her hope, and Hitsugaya intended to extinguish it himself.

”Face reality, Hinamori.”

Even if reality was incredibly cruel, it had to be faced. Hitsugaya wanted to make Hinamori understand, and he wanted her to be freed sooner. Unfortunately, he was interrupted by a hand.

”It wouldn’t be good if others heard those words. What a bold and reckless child.” With just a gentle wave of that hand, Hinamori fainted into the newcomer’s arms.

”Kyōraku, you...”

The newcomer was none other than Kyōraku Shunsui, who should have left long ago. He turned his head and smiled at Hitsugaya. ”When I came out, I saw Hinamori waiting here, so I was a bit worried. I’ll quickly forget what just happened, Captain Hitsugaya.”

”I don’t care about that, it’s just...”

Hitsugaya suddenly paused. Shunsui, however, seemed able to see through his thoughts and said leisurely, ”I understand what you’re trying to do, but girls need to be carefully protected, Captain Hitsugaya.”

It was a statement perfectly in line with Kyōraku’s usual frivolous style. Normally, Hitsugaya wouldn’t even bother responding, but this time, those words seemed to pierce straight into his heart.

He wanted to protect Hinamori more than anyone else, hoping she could still be that happy, silly little Momo from before. It was just that right now, she was being a bit too foolish.

And now, no matter what he did, Hinamori would be hurt by it. One of those sources of hurt was precisely Hitsugaya himself. Although he had been decisive earlier, he felt deeply exhausted inside.

”Sooner or later, she has to face it, doesn’t she, Shunsui?”

”That’s true, but hasn’t she already started facing it? It’s just that the results aren’t very good.”

Hitsugaya held his forehead and shook his head. Seeing this, Shunsui advised, ”Don’t be too pessimistic. She just said she wanted to ’save’ Aizen. Deep down, she still identifies herself as a Shinigami. But as you can see, she’s very extreme right now. If you force her to change at this moment, there’s no telling which side she might lean toward. You wouldn’t want to see the day you cross swords with her, would you?”

*Would Hinamori completely defect to Aizen and become his accomplice?* Hitsugaya asked himself. Given Hinamori’s recent behavior, it was highly possible. And if that day truly came, Hitsugaya honestly didn’t know what he would do. Would he be just like the Hinamori from moments ago, begging others to give her one more chance?

”Then what should we do next?” Hitsugaya asked weakly. Having been a captain for so long, this was the first time he felt such a profound sense of powerlessness toward someone.

”If you ask me, to be honest, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t know what to do next either. I think that’s exactly why Kōe left her in your hands.”

Hitsugaya looked at Shunsui with some confusion. Shunsui smiled and asked in return, ”Do you think Kōe’s action of kicking Hinamori out of Squad 5 was a bit unreasonable?”

”Wasn’t it?”

”Of course not.” Shunsui shook his head and continued, ”There are too many traces of Aizen there. Being haunted by memories tied to a place isn’t just an empty saying, Captain Hitsugaya.”

”He did it for Hinamori’s own good?” Hitsugaya looked a bit surprised.

Shunsui shook his head again. ”Don’t think of him as being that noble. Just the thought of a girl drowning in tears all day is probably enough to give him a headache, and that kid is terrified of trouble...”

”Chōzuka... Teacher Chōzuka actually has no solution either?”

”The human heart is incredibly complex, let alone a heart that has already collapsed. No matter how carefully you protect it, it could shatter into pieces at any moment.”

”Don’t think your teacher is omnipotent. When it comes to this matter, he can’t compare to you.”